Container



Oct. 6, 1936. M E CLAWSON 2,056,827

CONTAINER Filed July 9, 1954 BY Ja. fdcm ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES altaar:l commen Millard-E. Clawson, Ponca City, Okla., assignor to Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, Okla.,

a corporation of Delaware Application July 9, 1934, Serial No. 734,297

V1 Claim'. (Cl. 220-95) My invention relates to containers and more Aparticularly to containers having adjustable balls. Many types of containers are equipped with bail handles or carrying devices. These containers may be from a very small size to a relativelyv large size and are of varied shapes and designs. The bail makes it very convenient for the manufacturer to handle during filling and preparation for shipment and is convenient for the subsequent handlers in moving and in carrying. Containers with bail handles have been in use many years and have been found very satisfactory in Y most cases.

One very common and serious objection to all bail type containers results from effort to handle a large number of such containers, such as stacking, packing, shipping, shelving, et cetera. Whenin. use the bail is up above the top of the container and as a rule such containers are handled 2() individually. When it is necessary to stack or pack such bail type containers, the bails on adjoining containers interfere with each other and with adjoining cans. The result is that it-is impossible to stack the containers closely and in the 5 minimum space. If the bail is placed in the upright position as in use, it is then impossible to stack two containers one on top .of the other. This is a very serious objection in preparing cars or truck spaces for shipment or hauling .and for storage in general. If the containers are forced together when the bail is in the drop position, th containers are scratched and the general external appearance greatly marred.

The primary object of this invention is to pro- 35 vide an improved type of bail which may be satisfactorily disposed oi.' when not in use.V

Another object of this invention is to provide a centaine/r and bail which can be stacked closely and compactly when not in use without marring 40 the appearance of other containers.

Still another object is to accomplish the very desired characteristics of 'a substantially disappearing bailin a very economical manner without in any way marring the general appearance of 45- the entire container.

Still other objects of this invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following specirlcation and claim.

In the accompanying drawing which forms 50. part ofthe instant specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the vvarious views:

Figure -1 is a side elevation of a container iltted '65 with one mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the container shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a'container showing another mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the container shown 5 in Figure 3. l

In general, my invention provides a means of shortening or reducing the radius of the bail when not in use. This permits pushing the bail down against the can in a position-which'makes l0 it possible to stack the cans against each other on all sides without causing denting and/or marring of the sides of the adjacent cans.

More particularly referring now to the drawing, a container I is of any suitable type and is i6 preferably made with a reduced top portion 2, enabling the bail to be stowed in position clear of adjacent containers when they are packed, stored, biped, or racked. In the form shown in Figure 1, one end of the bail is secured in the socket lug or the like 3 in a manner well known to the art. The other end of the bail 4 is secured in the member 5 which is provided with elongated slot 6. having a notch l in which the bail end is adapted to rest when the bail is being used to carry the container. The notch 'i is diametrically opposite the point of attachment of the other end of the bail 4 in member I. It will be understood, of course, that; member i may be made with a shorter slot and a similar member substituted for member 3. Member 5 may be secured to the container in any suitable manner known to the art. In the position shown in Figure 1. the bail is housed in the position clear for stowage.

It will be observed that similar containers may be piled one on top of each other or adjacent to each other without interference from the bail. When it is desired to be used as a carrying member, the bail 4 is pulled, sliding the 40 end disposed in slot iv into the notch l. The bail then may be raised to the dotted lineposition and the container transported.

In operation, when it is desired to stow the container, all that is necessary is to drop the bail clear ofthe top of the container and push it against the container. This causes the end of the bail to move into the slotted member i and reduces the radius of the bail with respect tothe diameter of the container.

In the form shown in Figure 3, the bail is made in two pieces which are connected tceach other by any suitable slidable joint, as can readily be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 4. In the form shown in the drawing, one piece of the bail 4' is joinedl to the other bail member l by a telescoping joint formed by bending the respective ends around the main portion of the opposite member. It will be readily understood that any type of sliding joint will be operative, such as for example a slot and rivet joint, or other form of telescoping joint.

In the form shown in Figure 1, member 5 is provided With protruding corner 8. bail 4 is dropped to the position shown in Figure1,'the bail frictionally engages the corner 8 and the bail is thus immobilized, in that it is constrained from movement up or down.

In operation, when it is desired to stow the bail in position for stacking, members 4 and 4" will overlap, shortening the bail radius and enabling it to rest upon the radius end portion 2. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable rest may be provided, as for example, a pin or groove or the like. 'I'.he bails are pro'- vided with any suitable handle member 1'.

It will be observed that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a simple and expedient bail handle which will enable containers to be conveniently stowed, making the most use out of a storage place or in When the shipping, while precluding any scratching or marring of contiguous containers by contact with the bail.

I It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claim. It is further obvious that various changes may beA made indetails within the scope of my claim without departing from the .spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A container comprising in combination a bail having a curved portion and a straight portion, means for securing said bail to said container at points lying along a diameter of said container, and telescopic means in said straight portion for varying the length of said bail, the construction being such that the bail radius may be reduced 'to position the bail in contact with..a, side of the container.

' MILLARD E. CLAWSON. 

